FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER, P3

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. This position is located in UNEP's Law Division, OzonAction Branch at the Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Head of the OzonAction Branch, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Financial Management: • Providing corporate guidance to UNEP OzonAction finance staff, issuing policies and monitoring compliance with established procedures. • Overseeing and managing effective and timely processing of pledges and preparation of invoices for contributions and ensuring compliance with the decisions of the governing bodies of UNEP and UNEP Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund. • Overseeing and managing timely and accurate recording of contributions. Managing the unidentified deposits in line with established policies and procedures. Preparing financial reports for donors, intergovernmental and legislative bodies. • Managing the establishment of grants and monitoring the financial life cycle of projects including the clean-up of closed projects, grants and trust funds. Monitoring cash and loan balances of grants. • Ensuring that UNEP financial records are accurate and up-to-date and that they are properly reflected in the Annual Financial Statements. This includes regular analysis of cash and receivable balances and review of donor reports. • Liaising with internal and external auditors by coordinating requests for information, following up on finance related audit recommendations and preparing reports to various UN Bodies. • Reviewing legal instruments related to donors and Implementing Partners agreements. • Developing and managing a corporate approach to UNEP's relationship with Implementing Partners. 2. Certifying Officer functions: • Reviewing and analysing data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals for extra-budgetary funded activities, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from divisions/offices at Headquarters and in the field, including programmatic aspects. • Providing support to managers with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. • Reviewing, analysing and providing input into finalization of programme budget/financial implications. • Providing substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their budget review; assisting in securing approval from the relevant Governing Bodies. 3. Budget administration: • Issuing allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. • Monitoring budget implementation and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary. • Monitoring expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels. • Administering and monitoring extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Preparing relevant documentation with respect to budget performance submissions. • Reviewing and making appropriate recommendations with respect to the finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Leads the annual Financial Progress Report process as well as all financial reporting to the intergovernmental bodies, General Assembly, and manages audit processes and monitors implementation of audit recommendation 4. General: • Keeping up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme and/budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures. • Monitoring and supervising the work of subordinate staff as required. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performing other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of financial principles and practices. Ability to independently conduct research and analysis, formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or a related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Finance or accounting qualification, such as Certification in Public Accounting (CPA) or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, budget, business administration or related area, is required. Experience in preparing/analyzing financial statements with application of private sector or public sector accounting standards such as International Financial Report Standard (s) (IFRS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) is required. Working experience with Systems Application and Products (SAP) system or another Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required. Experience with data analysis, reconciliations, and reporting, using Microsoft Excel, is required. Working experience with managing and monitoring implementing partners of international organisation, inlcuding but not limited to audits or financial spot checks, is desirable. Experience with the Grantor Management (Implementing Partner) Module, is desirable. Experience of managing external and in-house coordination, at procedural and policy levels, is desirable. Experience in an international organization such as the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice This position is temporarily available for 9 months and may be subject to extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." 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Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/ Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. 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